Stop Digging

Minneapolis DFL delegates rebel against the school board at the city convention (Minneapolis being a one-party town, the convention is the only election that matters).

They opted to dump current board president Joseph Erickson:

Erickson said his bid was affected by factors that have beset the district, including five years of budget cuts caused by falling enrollment that also prompted school closings, and the hiring and ouster of former Superintendent Thandiwe Peebles with a cost of $250,0000.

He disagreed with the complaints of some parents that he was arrogant. He said that as an Augsburg College professor his inclination is to teach. That means sharing some of the knowledge he’s learned as a board member when contacted by parents on issues, rather than simply nodding and agreeing.

I don't know Erickson - I've never dealt with the Minneapolis district - but I bet I know what that means.

At any rate, I'm starting to see where the root cause of the Minneapolis public schools' problems might be:

The party gave first-ballot endorsement to Costain, a veteran organizer, and political newcomer Stewart. Williams and Madden were just below the 60 percent of delegates needed after the first ballot.

Costain and Stewart appealed to the convention to endorse a full slate before adjourning; delegates added Williams on the second ballot. When remaining candidates Jill Davis, Polly Harrison-Townsend and Erickson dropped out, Madden was endorsed by acclamation.

Most endorsees combined backing from labor and from the progressive Take Action Minnesota, the same combination that sent political rookies Peggy Flanagan and Lydia Lee to the board in 2004.

Hm. Let's see: board dominated by single party. Single party dominated by union hacks and "progressive" firebrands.

What could go wrong in a situation like that?

Posted by Mitch at May 18, 2006 07:17 AM | TrackBack